parallel
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for parallel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Running alongside something else, always the same distance apart, never meeting.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use parallel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin parallelus, from Greek parallelos ("beside one another").
Full origin of parallel →Frequently asked questions
What does “parallel” mean?
The word “parallel” means running alongside something else, always the same distance apart, never meeting. In plain terms, running side by side without meeting (literally), or closely similar/matching (figuratively).
How do you pronounce “parallel”?
“Parallel” is pronounced PA-ruh-lehl (/ˈpæ.ɹəˌlɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “parallel” in a sentence?
Here is “parallel” used in a sentence: “The two railway tracks run parallel to each other.”
What is the opposite of “parallel”?
The opposite of “parallel” — its antonyms — are antiparallel, perpendicular and skew.
What part of speech is “parallel”?
Depending on how it is used, “parallel” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “parallel” come from?
The word “parallel” comes from Latin. From Latin parallelus, from Greek parallelos ("beside one another").
Is “parallel” a common word?
“Parallel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “parallel” have?
“Parallel” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: running alongside something else, always the same distance apart, never meeting.
What is the difference between parallel and perpendicular lines?
Parallel lines run alongside each other, always the same distance apart, and never meet. Perpendicular lines, by contrast, cross each other and meet at a right angle.
Can parallel mean similar rather than geometric?
Yes. Besides the geometric sense of lines the same distance apart, parallel can mean similar or comparable in nature, or happening at the same time. For example, two events may follow parallel paths without being lines at all.
How do you spell the different forms of parallel?
The base word keeps one r and a double l: parallel. Unusually for English verbs, the common forms are paralleled and paralleling, without doubling the final l.